Fresh Picks
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Rema‘s rebelliousness and deep reverence for Afrobeats take center stage on his boundary-pushing sophomore album HEIS, stemming from his social media handle @heisrema and meaning the one in Greek. It reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s World Albums chart. Alté pioneer Boj delivers one of the season’s brightest LPs — while recruiting an international array of featured artists — on 12 Summers, which represents the dozen years he’s spent making music.
Tyla hops on her first song since releasing her eponymous debut album in March with Spinall’s “One Call” (also featuring Omah Lay), and it debuted at No. 12 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart this week (dated Aug. 3). And ODUMODUBLVCK flexes his chart success when he raps “22 weeks on the Billboard charts” on his braggadocious single “Not All That.”
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We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and find your new summer soundtrack with our Spotify playlist below.
Odeal, “Soh-Soh”
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Odeal heats things up on “Soh-Soh,” the scintillating dancefloor highlight from his four-track EP Sunday At Zuri’s that’s influenced by Zuri Awela, an individual of Nigerian and South African descent he shouts out on X, and “represents parts of our Sunday at her beach house: noon (arrival), afternoon, evening, and night,” he wrote. While Odeal reminisces about last summer’s turnt vibes on “Soh-Soh,” he’s creating new memories this summer with a shorty he’s mesmerized by and willing to “spend one milli’ on” to win her heart. It’s impossible not to groove to the song’s sexy saxophone and crisp shakers – even Ciara can’t get enough of it.
Rema, “HEHEHE”
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“Monday morning, talking about me while I’m making money,” Rema boasts before bursting into his maniacal, cartoonish laugh that’s at the heart of his “HEHEHE” single from HEIS. The 24-year-old star guffaws at his haters with mischievous staccato chords punctuating each “HE,” the only time Rema catches his breath from his hoarse flow. His self-confidence reaches a fever pitch when he asserts himself in Afrobeats’ upper echelon alongside Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido and doubles down on his three-month-old X statement: “No more big three, there’s now a big four.” But given Rema’s track record, and his latest LP being heralded for breathing new life into Afrobeats, it’s not a far-fetched statement.
Tay Iwar, Le Mav & GOLD, “Rock Steady”
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Five years after their first GOLD album, Tay Iwar and Le Mav (who are collectively known as GOLD) reunite on its glistening sequel EP GOLD II. On the highlight “Rock Steady,” Iwar muses about morning sex and his lover’s golden body, while Le Mav’s sultry production makes them want to linger in bed for just a little longer. But the tempo switch in the track’s final minute, where Iwar revs up the “These days, I’m feeling like I’ve been chosen” hook and Le Mav builds tension with the bridge’s piano chords before setting off the kaleidoscopic synth outro, ends “Rock Steady” on a highly spirited note.
Gabzy, JayO & Odeal, “Too Fine”
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UK R&B/Afrobeats artists Gabzy, JayO and Odeal aren’t letting a girl that’s “Too Fine” out of their sights in their latest collaboration. The trio combines swoon-worthy melodies, soulful guitar licks and saccharine lyrics to not just take a girl home for the night but to make her their wife, with Gabzy, whose alter ego is Mr. Malone, claiming she could be “Mrs. Malone” in the chorus. It’s hard not to succumb to their individual, irresistible charm, and their Vevo DSCVR performance is further proof.
Boj & Sainté, “Koshi”
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Boj taps fellow UK artist Sainté on the breezy opener “Koshi” from the former’s latest album 12 Summers. Tropical guitar melodies complement the DRB LasGidi member’s effortless swagger (“Rock best drip on legendary, fresh to death to cemetery,” he sings in the first verse), while Sainté raps about impressing a girl with the kind of money her previous man never had. But no amount of money or level of drip could make anyone compare to these two.
ODUMODUBLVCK, “Not All That”
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Few MCs have a more distinctive aesthetic as ODUMODUBLVCK, and in this latest single he ramps the energy up to the maximum, delivering a relentless series of verses that overflow with self-confidence, both listing his co-signs — Burna Boy, Skepta, Wizkid, Davido, Stormzy and Olamide all get name checked — and comparing himself to a reincarnated Tupac, while celebrating his wins over the past few years since he exploded on to the scene, like his two Headies Awards and “22 weeks on the Billboard charts.” If he’s talking about his breakout hit “DECLAN RICE,” it was actually 27 weeks on U.S. Afrobeats Songs, but after a while, it’s got to be hard to keep track. This song is a deserved victory lap.
Olamide, Fireboy DML & Asake, “Uptown Disco”
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The YBNL boys join forces again for this posse cut off label boss Olamide’s latest EP, Ikigai / (生き甲斐), Vol. 1, which, while certainly not a disco groove, pulses with electricity regardless. Fireboy sets the tone and helms the first verse and trades on and off with Olamide for the hook, before deferring to the latter for the second verse, as the two effortlessly slip in and out of languages and sports references. Asake brings the track home, putting an exclamation point on one of the only songs that features all three artists
Spinall feat. Tyla & Omah Lay, “One Call”
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Spinall has been one of the most consistently great DJs/producers in West Africa over the past several years, and here he brings together stalwart Omah Lay with one of the brightest lights of the past 18 months in Tyla for an infectious and sultry track, with Tyla in particular providing an irresistible contribution. The production grows along with the song, bringing it to a collaborative finale, and making it one of the best tracks of the month.
Rema, “YAYO”
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Rema’s HEIS album represents a step forward in the young singer’s career as he continues to progress beyond the astronomical success of “Calm Down.” With “YAYO,” he delivers a frenetic track that ripples with energy, with a blistering hook that provides the only half-second break in the whole song — and a burst of melody that feels at once surprising and infectious.
Boj feat. Victony, “Pressure”
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This silky cut from Boj’s excellent new album 12 Summers represents another palette on which crooner Victony can paint, as he comes through with his distinctive voice to take over the track with a verse that brings his mind to the gutter. Which is not to say that Boj himself is lacking on the track, a standout on his collab-filled project — his vocal is the steady counterpoint, the tamer side of the human spirit that helps make the song whole, a great late-night single.
BOJ ’12 Summers’
Courtesy Photo
If the air smells a bit different, that’s because Olympics season is in full effect. Every four years we rally around the best and most impressive athletes from our respective nations and cheer them on as they seek to dominate the literal world stage at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. From Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky to LeBron James and Noah Lyles, Team USA is stacked — so it’s only right that they got Queen Bey to introduce them.
Reworking “Ya Ya” — a standout Cowboy Carter track that Billboard ranked as the album’s best song — Beyoncé introduced the premier athletes of our “big, bold, beautiful, [and] complicated” nation. Queen Bey’s surprise appearance helped kick off an Olympics that has already featured its fair share of hip-hop and R&B moments — including Flavor Flav‘s support for the U.S. women’s water polo team, Ye (Formerly Kanye West) and Jay-Z‘s “N—as in Paris” becoming an unofficial theme song, Snoop Dogg‘s affirmations with gymnast Suni Lee and gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Beyoncé-inspired floor performance routine.
Outside of the intersection of music and sports, the worlds of R&B and hip-hop remained as bustling as ever over the weekend. From Ice Spice to Rakim, superstar rookies and undisputed legends came through with new albums, and hip-hop stars (Swae Lee and Lil Pump among them) continued to give their opinions on the upcoming presidential election.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from TA Thoma’s sultry new ballad to Skilla Baby and Bossman Dlow’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: TA Thomas, “Angry”
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Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, TA Thomas has been making impressive strides all year. The R&B singer-songwriter had a pair of knockout features with MaKenzie (“Maybe”) and The Amours (“Pick Me Up”) — both of which made the Fresh Picks column in previous weeks — and he’s been no slouch with his solo offerings. His latest single, the Ray Keys-helmed “Angry,” is an unapologetic ode to the lustful underbelly of purposely picking fights with the intention of turning that combative energy into a sexual release. Even outside of those carnal subtleties, “Angry” showcases the beauty of experiencing the full emotional spectrum with the person you love the most. “I’m just tryna push you the limit/ See how far it goes/ Tell me that you had enough/ But your clothes on the floor/ There you go choosing violence/ Girl, putting you hands on me,” he croons with a soulful, slightly tongue-in-cheek tone.
Skilla Baby & Bossman Dlow, “Booby Trap on the River”
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An ode to the famed 24/7 nude Miami strip club, Skilla Baby and Bossman Dlow toast to the 305’s Booby Trap on the River. “I’m in the yams at Booby Trap havin’ a ball,” Skilla boasts over the ominous piano-looped production. Dlow takes the baton and incorporates the Detroit native’s signature “Ha” ad-lib into his verse while Skilla returns the favor and pulls from Dlow’s “Get In With Me” anthem. “These Chanel shoes, these ain’t no Huaraches,” he raps. Bossman Dlow’s rookie of the year case just keeps getting stronger.
Dajah Dorn, “Love U 4 Free”
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Across a subdued, dembow-inspired beat, rising R&B star Dajah Dorn reiterates her priceless commitment to her lover. Needlz’s gentle production allows for the different textures of Daja’s voice to shine through. At times, she opts for a starry-eyed lovestruck tone, but by the time she reaches the hook, she injects a bit of huskiness into her voice to underscore how serious her commitment to the act of loving is. “I just need you to recognize/ No matter the moment/ I will always put you first/ Even love you at your worst,” she coos in the pre-chorus.
Denise Julia & Thuy, “Twin Flames”
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A Filipina-Viet link-up leads to a baddie anthem. Denise Julia and Thuy mesh their silky vocals to serenade each other and celebrate sisterhood with the compassionate “Twin Flames.” The duo open their hearts and prove that besties can come in all different shapes and sizes with the succulent R&B bop. “But I’m all about it, ain’t no need to prove it/ ‘Cause I think I just found the one,” Julia sings in dazzling fashion. Following Denise’s robust debut project last year, the anticipation for the 22-year-old’s official debut LP just got turned up a few notches.
RINI, “Matter to You”
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There’s very little that can go wrong with a healthy dose of falsetto and a rousing guitar solo. With his latest single, Melbourne-raised R&B singer RINI absolutely nails that combo. “But I’ll admit it/ Lately I’ve been losing sight of our love/ All the little things that matter to you most,” he sings regretfully, laying bare that, despite the love that he has for his partner, he hasn’t shown up in the relationship the way that he knows he should. “Matter to You” is a very well-paced song, one that grows more intense with each passing second and eventually finds catharsis in that tear-streaked closing guitar solo, which finally moves away from the vocal restraint he displays on most of the track.
Ian & Lil Yachty, “Hate Me”
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It was only a matter of time before Ian and Lil Yachty teamed up after hitting the stage together last month at Chicago’s Summer Smash festival. The 19-year-old puts his haters on blast while rapping with spatial awareness, but Ian may have unknowingly delivered a bar that every 9-5 worker can relate to: “I’m just praying I made it to Friday.” Boat promises his net worth is beating out any rapper in his generation and he’s putting his mom’s life on it. “Know I’m richer than your favorite rapper If I’m not, then, God, kill my momma, huh,” he declares. Ian continues to prove he’s not a fad, and has no plans of fading — as his “Magic Johnson” also continues to grow in popularity.
Ashoka, “PGA”
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Rockland County, New York native Ashoka returns with his first release since his Dreamers Valley debut album last year. PGA might look familiar to golf enthusiasts, but this one is for the ladies with the “Pretty Girl Anthem.” Ashoka dubbed the swooning pluggnb track as a “modern-day love song” while doubling as the ultimate hype man for his girl. “You the prettiest in your friends, you the prettiest in this club, you the prettiest in this gym, you the prettiest in this party, you the prettiest on the Gram,” he croons.
From President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to Cardi B and Joe Budden‘s heated back-and-forth, it truly does feel like we collectively fell out of a coconut tree and into the most melodramatic timeline possible.
Not only has Harris — now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — already secured an endorsement from Billboard cover star Charli XCX, but she also received a gushing method of support from businesswoman (and Beyoncé‘s mother) Tina Knowles.
“New, youthful, sharp, energy!!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country! Putting personal ego, power, and fame aside. That is the definition of a great leader,” Ms. Knowles wrote. “Thank you, President Biden, for your service and your leadership. Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #kamala2024”
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Elsewhere in the worlds of R&B and hip-hop, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley quoted GloRilla‘s viral “TGIF” during an address about the effects of urban heat islands on lower-income communities, Latto revealed how she snagged Usher‘s original “U” chain for his 2024 BET Awards Lifetime Achievement tribute performance, and Donald Glover dropped Bando Stone and the New World, his final album under the “Childish Gambino” moniker.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Blxst‘s breezy West Coast bop to JT and Stunna Girl’s shot-firing link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: 4batz & Usher, “Act IV: fckin u again (18+)”
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For his third high-profile collaboration in basically as many months, enigmatic R&B crooner 4batz taps music icon and fellow Dallas-born crooner Usher for a remix of his NSFW cut “Act IV: fckin u again (18+).” The ski mask-clad singer keeps the same bars as the original, singing, “Can’t stop f–kin’ you/ ‘Cause your body drops like a prostitute/ And I cannot get enough of you/ ‘Give me a break,’ f–k is a break?/ I swear” over Nic Dreams’ unchanged production. Where 4batz’s tone can sound a bit steely at times, Usher’s voice provides a much-needed dose of warmth and seduction as he proclaims, “Gotta say, I’ll make sure you know a n—a name/ Usher, don’t forget the Raymond/ I pull up and blow it out the frame/ Roll with me, I’ll make you famous.”
Rayana Jay, “Garden”
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Water Rayana Jay’s garden and watch her blossom. The Bay Area singer knows what she’s looking for and is intentional with her love, as she wants to be handled with care. “I don’t want anybody but you, because you’re the only one that can make me bloom,” she lusciously professes. Rayana takes romance into her own hands with her next chapter and upcoming Temple album, which arrives later this year via EMPIRE.
JPEGMAFIA, “Sin Miedo”
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If there’s anyone in rap who is still fearlessly pursuing new ways to completely disassemble classic tracks and fashion them into a gloriously unique musical experience, it’s JPEGMAFIA. The Baltimore rapper calls on 2 Live Crew‘s “Hoochie Mama” for an endlessly shape-shifting amalgamation of thrashing metal guitars, stabbing house-inflected synths and rage rap. It’s complete hedonism and pure balls-to-the-wall madness; he raps, “She had issues with her father!/ I had issues with my barber!/ She off all of these drugs!/ Coke in her butt, RIP Aaron Carter!” With his Lay Down My Life Tour set to commence next month (Aug. 7), Peggy is making sure his crowds are pumped up with some relentlessly high-octane head-bangers.
Rob49 with Cardi B, “On Dat Money”
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If you ever imagined Rob49 and Cardi B colliding on a track, “On Dat Money” is probably exactly what fans envisioned, and that’s not meant to be a slight. The New Orleans rapper’s raunchy fantasies combined with Bardi’s explicit bedroom exercises are going to make nuns cover their ears, but welcome to hip-hop. Rob made his debut on the Billboard Hot 100 last year with his guest appearance on Travis Scott’s UTOPIA album, and he looks to notch a first entry as a lead artist with the Cardi stimulus package.
Blxst, “Private Show”
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Last week (July 19), two-time Grammy nominee Blxst dropped his long-awaited debut studio album, which featured collaborations with Anderson. Paak, Kamasi Washington, Feid, Becky G. and more. Despite the plethora of star-studded link-ups, one of the standout moments on I’ll Always Find You comes courtesy of “Private Show,” a slick slow jam that attempts to make sense of the cognitive dissonance between the innate intimacy of a slow jam and the feigned intimacy that comes with paying for a private show. “I might jump off the ledge with you/ Ain’t no telling where I’m headed in that bed with you/ Make it hot and spin the block like I ain’t never done/ Like it’s money on your top, just want some head or sumn,” he croons in the second verse, ultimately allowing himself to play pretend for a few hours at a time.
JT feat. Stunna Girl, “Lemon Pepper”
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JT completed her City Girls departure with City Cinderella’s arrival. The brash Miami rapper delivers a hypnotic chorus over doomy production and gets busy stepping in designer boots on her haters. JT shrewdly flips Cardi B calling her “prison pants” into a positive flex. “JT a convicted felon and I’m still on they a–/ These Rick Owens, boo, these ain’t prison pants,” she raps. Stunna Girl steps in and raises the stakes with a braggadocious assist. Don’t take her velvety flow lightly because the 26-year-old will puncture hearts quicker than Rick Ross downs lemon pepper wings from Wingstop.
As heat wave after heat wave continues to pummel the country, so does the world of politics, which feels suspiciously written by Shonda Rhimes at this point. With the attempted assassination of former President Trump thrusting debate over President Biden’s viability as a 2024 candidate out of the picture, naturally, 50 Cent has found himself in the eye of the storm. The Grammy-winner’s classic “Many Men” has emerged as a semi-ironic anthem of the assassination attempt, earning an acknowledgment from the man himself.
“Trump gets shot and now I’m trending,” he captioned a meme of Trump’s face superimposed over his iconic album artwork for 2003’s Billboard 200-topping Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which landed at No. 11 on Billboard’s Greatest Rap Albums of All Time ranking.
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In other major hip-hop and R&B news, Eminem‘s countless namedrops on his new The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) LP continue to stir up social media conversation, Ice Spice and Central Cee further stoked romance rumors with the release of their new “Did It First” single and Buju Banton performed his first U.S. shows in 13 years at New York’s UBS Arena.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from 310babii’s latest banger to Veeze and Rylo Rodriguez’s grimy link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Camper feat. Ari Lennox & Jeremih, “War”
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Last year, with Coco Jones’ “ICU” and Maeta & Free Nationals’ “Through the Night,” Darhyl “DJ” Camper scored a pair of chart-topping R&B hits that played to the genre’s traditional elements of evocative, soulful balladry. For “War,” his new single with Grammy-nominated R&B stars Ari Lennox and Jeremih, Camper continues to play on those fundamentals. “I ain’t got time to lose with you/ All I know is that I miss you/ Bring grenades to your door/ For your love I’ll go to/ For your love I’ll go to war,” Jeremih sings over Camper’s amalgamation of warbling, gospel-inflected chords and a ’70s soul-evoking bass section. With both singer’s verses playing on the classic benchmarks of romance (“Kept you past your curfew/ Bought you your first of Nikes/ Heard your Daddy don’t like me/ Brother wanna fight me”), these three R&B heavyweights have crafted a song whose reverence for the classics permeates both their lyrics and instrumentation, ultimately making for a song that harkens to the past while feeling distinctly modern by way of their stylish vocal deliveries.
Lexa Gates & Billy Lemos, “I Just Can’t Be Alone”
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Lexa Gates is one of the can’t-miss emerging artists coming out of NYC. With an aesthetic as refreshing as she is unique, the Queens-bred singer-rapper blends the adjacent worlds in poetic fashion. On her latest single, “I Just Can’t Be Alone,” Gates vulnerably grapples with a yearning for romance and isolation. “Should I really be a douchebag? I’m indifferent, ha, you mad,” she intones to start the jazzy tune. West Coast fans can hear the soulful track’s live debut when Lex takes the Echoplex stage in Los Angeles on Aug. 14.
310babii, “Pink Whitney”
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As the West Coast continues to bask in their summer on top, 310babii is keeping the hits coming. After scoring a topline breakthrough moment with “Soak City (Do It)” and a follow-up hit in “Rock Yo Hips,” the recent high school graduate is ready for a few sips of “Pink Whitney.” “Pink Whitney, said she don’t drink Casa’/ Baby bad, p—y good, put her in Prada/ Bae, I gotta buy you YSL, it’s only right/ She got designer p—y, only right I bought her flight,” he spits over Beatsbyturk’s bouncy production. Less focused on packing the dancefloor with bodies and more occupied with lauding the girl with the “bеst head in the city,” “Pink Whitney” marks a slightly different direction for the rising star — but it still hits.
SoFaygo feat. Don Toliver, “Precision”
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Don’t try to play games with SoFaygo because he’ll call out the “bulls–t with precision.” Lil Tecca hops behind the boards to serve up the blistering production that lives in the realm of Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red. “I never ate at Denny’s, I hate to shop at Lenox/ I’m picky with my women,” FayGo rambles. The Cactus Jack artist lets the ladies know anyone riding with him doesn’t need to turn to having an OnlyFans since he’s got the finances taken care of. Fellow Cactus Jack running mate Don Toliver invades the scene and gives a NSFW shout-out to his wifey. “Damn, she got a big booty/ Kali Uchis, I’ma stuff my face in her coochie,” he promises on the raunchy assist. Hopefully, it isn’t the last time this trio joins forces.
BLK ODYSSY, “Changes”
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Ahead of his third studio album — 1-800-FANTASY (due July 19) — BLK ODYSSY has unveiled another single from the project. “Changes,” a jaunty pop-rock-infused jam that evokes the freewheeling feel of Steve Lacy’s Gemini LP, finds BLK ODYSSY lamenting over the different ways love can warp your sense of routine and normalcy. “Can’t take all these changes, thought it would be painless,” he sing-chants, effortlessly capturing the emotional turbulence of heartbreak and how life-altering the end of a relationship can be. With percussion and guitars holding down the rock ‘n’ roll vibes, it’s his melancholy timbre that keeps the soul front and center.
Veeze feat. Rylo Rodriguez, “F****d A Fan”
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Someone could write a fascinating book about rappers and their romantic fan escapades. Rylo opens up about having a girl with him at a five-star hotel while Veeze leans on his designer addiction and letting his partner run up unlimited shopping spree tabs with ease. Although, the Detroit rapper knows his luxury taste and spending habits could catch up with him if he doesn’t continue to level up. “My jacket, my pants, it cost me a dime/ I need to go get an endorsement with Sprite,” he admits with some sound financial advice. As for the 4PF rhymer, Rylo doesn’t believe the ride-or-die women are out there for him. “If I had a dollar for every faithful b—h in the world, my account would be empty,” he raps before painting the bizarre visual of a girl wanting him to autograph a Trojan condom. Just press play and enjoy the journey.
Although June ended with Hurricane Beryl pummeling the Caribbean — St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, in particular — it was still a glowing month for music and culture from the region.
Skillibeng performed at the BET Awards for the second time in as many years, joining Gunna and Tyla — who took home two awards at the ceremony, including best new artist — for a performance of the latter’s latest global hit “Jump,” which combines dancehall, hip-hop and Afrobeats. The Marley Family also made their presence known at the telecast, with YG Marley, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean closing out the show with a bombastic medley of “Lost Ones,” “Survival,” “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” and “Fu-Gee-La.” Meanwhile, Bob Marley: One Love took home best movie, the first musician biopic to do so since Straight Outta Compton in 2016.
Just one week after the BET Awards, Caribbean Elite Group announced the recipients of the highest honors at the upcoming Caribbean Music Awards on Aug. 29. A trio of powerful West Indian women are set to be honored: Jamaica’s Marcia Griffiths (lifetime achievement award), Barbados’ Alison Hinds (elite icon award) and JA’s Cedella Marley (legacy award).
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Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Govana & Popcaan, “Saved by a Psalm”
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Govana brought June to a close with his Legacy album, and his reflection and vulnerability across the LP helped make it one of the year’s best releases so far. One of the crown jewels of Legacy is “Saved by a Psalm,” a tear-jerking collaboration with Popcaan. “Ghetto youth haffi rich and wealthy/ Haffi make it, beg you please, Jah, help me/ Beg you guide me from the greed and envy/ Rev me ‘matic ’til it breeze and empty,” Govana spits over the pensive, understated dancehall production. Across the track, he and Popcaan reflect on the merits of faith, calling on Psalm 71 to emphasize how vital their respective relationships with God are — particularly when it comes to navigating life’s most consequential pitfalls.
Spice & Busta Rhymes, “Round Round”
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The reigning Queen of Dancehall is gearing up for the release of her upcoming third studio album, and she’s introducing it was a fiery new banger. “Round Round,” a collaboration with Busta Rhymes — who Skillibeng helped pay tribute to at the 2023 BET Awards — finds the two artists forging a common ground between their dancehall and hip-hop styles with a sparse soundscape crafted by YowLevite. “Busta, mi waan give yuh di hanky pollie/ Mek mi whine pon yuh buddy fast den slowly,” Spice spits as she flirtatiously trades bars with the hip-hop icon. The drum-heavy beat helps emphasize the percussiveness of both of their voices, but it’s their nimble flow switches that truly reveal the depths of their artistic chemistry.
Dean Fraser, “Belafonte Ghost”
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With his new Sax in Dub album, Musgrave Medal recipient Dean Fraser exalts the artform — a electronic subgenre of reggae that has grown into its own beast over the past few decades. “Belafonte Ghost” is the instant standout on the LP, with the saxophonist riffing on the melody of Harry Belafonte‘s timeless “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in tribute of the legendary artist and activist, who passed away last year. The only discernible vocals on the track are a collection of voices buried just under the mix’s surfaces, allowing for Fraser’s saxophone to take center stage across the calypso-inflected arrangement.
Bayka feat. Najeeriii, “1086”
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On this salsa-nodding jam from his new Mob Ties mixtape, Bayka joins forces with fellow Jamaican star Najeeriii to craft a song that offers some effervescent energy to the often brooding nature of trap dancehall. Between the dancehall drums accenting the funky piano line and Bayka and Najeeriii effortlessly playing off each other’s suave, laid-back energies, “1086” stands as one of the best representations of Bayka’s specific pocket of new age dancehall.
Pablo YG & Lanae, “Birds & Bees”
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With Lanae’s seductive tone paired with a sultry saxophone riff in the background, “Birds & Bee” immediately establishes itself as the latest candidate for your slow wine soundtrack. Given the title, it isn’t difficult to decode what Pablo and Lanae are singing about, especially since it’s one of the dominant themes in the dancehall genre. Nonetheless, their take on the subject is framed by their vocal chemistry; Pablo’s Auto-Tuned warbles cradle Lanae’s sensual purrs, resulting in one steamer of a not-so-slow jam.
Nuttea feat. Kabaka Pyramid, “Egaux”
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French ragga artist Nuttea has been instrumental in ushering in the country’s own take on reggae music, and his new collaboration with Grammy winners Kabaka Pyramid is the latest step of that journey. Titled “Égaux” — which translates to “Equals” — the new track finds the two acts reflecting on their respective artistic and emotional journeys, highlighting humanity’s sameness when all is said and done. It’s a multilingual affair, with Nuttea delivering his lines entirely in French, underscoring the global impact of reggae. The instrumentation is fairly traditional, but it’s their respective hip-hop-infused deliveries that keeps things exciting.
Minister Marion Hall, “Step”
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From her Lady Saw days to her current moniker of Minister Marion Hall, the Jamaican artist has been an icon for decades. For her new single and first musical release of the year, Ms. Hall steps in the energy of spiritual warfare, opting for a militant gospel-tinged anthem of standing steadfast in your faith. “It’s a spiritual war/ Put on ya war clothes,” she snarls over histrionic drums and guitar. Minister Hall’s vocal is the star of the show here, she’s gasping for air and delivering her lines with equal parts reverence, desperation and grit. Considering her journey from dancehall queen to a unfiltered Christian who regularly speaks about her struggles with her faith, “Step” is appropriately aggressive. Somewhere between Richie Spice’s “Gideon Boot” and Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp,” “Step” is a stellar, if not unexpected, addition to the catalog of wartime gospel anthems.
$teevoo, “Slow Wine”
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With “Slow Wine,” Rising Trinbagonian artist $teevoo previews a potentially minimalist future for dancehall. His voice barely rises above whisper, and the synths and drums that are normally quite pronounced in a traditional dancehall track feel notably muted. Ultimately, “Slow Wine” offers a chilly, electronic version of a dancehall riddim, courtesy of Brooklyn Decent. Following the path he laid out with Eros EP earlier this year, $teevoo strips soca, dancehall and calypso down to its most elementary parts and builds something distinctly fresh out of those components. Everything — from his cadence to the drum patterns — feels strikingly familiar, but his unfussy vocal delivery immediately sets his sound apart from previous decades of West Indian music.
Jah Lil, “Weak Men”
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Jah Lil’s Can A Man Cry is a true gem of an album. Released at the tail end of last month (June 26), the LP is a tender-yet-unflinching look at the intersection of faith, masculinity and morality — all set to some of the most evocative, multi-layered reggae arrangements of the year. “Weak Men,” in which Jah Lil posits that true male weakness is the inability to properly express your emotions and defy temptation, is relentlessly engaging, folding in funky horns, steady guitars and earth percussion to craft a soundscape for his alluring voice to coast across.
Alison Hinds, “Slow It Down”
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Alison Hinds’ sweet timbre has soundtracked soca music for over two decades and “Slow It Down” proves the Queen of Soca has no plans to, well, slow down. She paints across Elmo Norville’s breezy Sweet Water Project riddim with that trademark honeyed tone, crooning, “Baby I wan ya slow it down/ Take your time now darling, we really don’t need to rush it.” In a genre that has its fair share of high-octane moments by way of power soca, “Slow It Down” offers road marchers a chance to catch their breath — and catch the meanest slow wine.
Click here to donate to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s special bank account in aid of its Participating States impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
Now that 4th of July festivities are in the rearview mirror, we’re officially smack in the middle of summer. Despite arriving in the springtime (May 4), Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” continues to dominate the cultural conversation, with the track’s excellent new music video hitting YouTube on Independence Day, subsequently sending countless cookouts into a Kung Fu Kenny frenzy.
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Naturally, only an event like Essence Fest could cut through the mountains of additional discourse sparked by the “Not Like Us” music video. Featuring eye-popping sets from Usher, Janet Jackson, Victoria Monét, SWV, Lil Wayne, Charlie Wilson and more, Essence Fest rocked New Orleans with a sprawling collection of performances that bridged several generations of R&B and hip-hop. Of course, rising hits from recent major album releases — like Megan Thee Stallion & Yuki Chiba’s “Mamushi” and Camila Cabello & Drake‘s “Hot Uptown” — continue to make waves across the Internet as the summer heat continues to intensify.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from 42 Dugg’s and Lil Baby’s new link-up to Ken Carson’s ode to Emmy-nominated actress Sydney Sweeney. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: SAHXL & Kaash Paige, “Negligent (Remix)”
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Hailing from Sydney, Australia, R&B/hip-hop artist SAHXL has been making major waves in R&B circles, and the new Kaash Paige-assisted remix of his moody “Negligent” track is sure to continue that momentum. On the Sid Mallick & CRATER-helmed track, Kaash Paige sings from the perspective of the “pretty but messy” woman SAHXL waxes poetic about on the original song. “You be calling me like 4 in the morning/ I don’t see why your ass be so annoyed/ I don’t answer, your ass be paranoid/ And that’s just so not cool,” she croons menacingly, expertly playing up the emotional immaturity and overall toxicity that grounds the aptly titled song. Though the two singers don’t actually end up harmonizing together, that stands as a smart artistic choice that underscores their refusal to move as a unit in a romance with a flimsy foundation.
42 Dugg feat. Lil Baby, “No Love“
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The ominous 42 Dugg whistle has returned. The Detroit native reunites with his “We Paid” collaborator Lil Baby, as the duo looks to make another standout entry into their joint catalog. Baby sets the tone by comparing himself to prime ‘06 Gucci Mane and lets the rap game know he’s ready to get active, even with an alleged nine-figure net worth. That number might need to be fact-checked; either way, it sounds good. Then the 4PF boss passes the baton to Dugg, who is surprised to find out it’s the women – allegedly – snitching with loose lips since he’s been getting reacclimated to the free world.
Khalil, “Cancer”
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In a past life, Khalil was a close associate to then-labelmate Justin Bieber. Now, with his atmospheric new “Cancer” single, the Sacramento singer emerges as a fully-realized artist in his own right. “Can’t look into your eyes, ’cause I’m blind, girl,” he gently croons over desolate acoustic guitar strums. Less of a full-bodied song and more of a snapshot of the feeling of being drawn to someone who ultimately harms you, “Cancer” uses its moody guitars to mask the bite of lyrics like, “I still want you to stay tonight/ Don’t care if you’re no longer mine.” Khalil isn’t relishing this situation at all, but it’s his ability to showcase truly anguished vulnerability that makes “Cancer” such a captivating listen, if only for just over two and a half minutes.
Ken Carson, “SS”
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Ken Carson decided it was time for more disorder when he returned to tack on seven more tracks to his A Great Chaos album, turning it into A Greater Chaos. “SS” serves as an ode to film and TV star Sydney Sweeney, and he somehow compares her voluptuous breasts to the drum mags attached to his gun. X Man even hopped into her IG comments, appearing to shoot his shot with the actress. The Opium rapper then moves on to detail his Paris Fashion Week romantic escapades, and ends the journey by dissing Rolex and anyone rocking with the luxe Swiss brand. “I can buy 15 Richard Milles, why would I cop a Rolex?” he scoffs.
Ovi Wood, “Problems”
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Across a murky soundscape built around skittering hi-hats and brooding synths, Ovi Wood attempts to explain the mental torment that prevents him from showing up as the lover that he would like to be. “When my anxiety goes through the roof/ I’ve been hurting bad and I feel so consumed,” he sings, squeezing each word out as if he’s trying to fit them into the gasps of air that punctuates a good crying session. On one hand “Problems” is a song about working through anxiety as it relates to romantic relationships, on the other, it’s a disarmingly honest ode to the solace that music provides. “Music the only thing to get me through/ Music the only thing to heal my wounds,” Ovi sings in the final chorus, perhaps the only time he sounds certain about anything in his life on the track.
Shordie Shordie feat. 03 Greedo, “Ride With You”
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Shordie and Greedo’s “Ride With You” passes the car test and the breezy Cali bounce provides the perfect soundtrack to a summer sunset cruise in the Baltimore rapper’s baby blue Corvette. “Come over you can slide too/ I just need something I can ride to,” the Warner signee melodically raps with a raspiness washing over his flow. If only the ride from Shordie’s Baltimore to Greedo’s Watts, California was as smooth as their freshest team-up. The Captain Hook rapper delivered a pair of projects in 2023, and he should have more heat in store for 2024’s second half.
The 2024 BET Awards — hosted by Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson — provided the big news of the weekend, with some of the biggest names across R&B, hip-hop, gospel and Afrobeats descending upon Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Amid parodies of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” and countless reminders to vote in the upcoming presidential election, Tyla (best new artist and best international act) and Victoria Monét (video of the year and the BET Her Award) took home two trophies each, Megan Thee Stallion opened the show with fiery medley of tracks from her new Megan LP, and Black country stars Shaboozey and Tanner Adell made their respective BET Awards debuts.
Of course, there was also that star-studded Usher tribute — featuring Monét, Teyana Taylor, Chlöe, Tinashe, Keke Palmer, Childish Gambino, Marsha Ambrosius, Summer Walker, Latto and Coco Jones — which had the entire crowd on its feet, as did Usher’s 15-minute acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement honor.
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While the BET Awards swallowed up most of the weekend’s discourse, there were still scores of new releases across R&B and hip-hop to sift through. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Lucky Daye & RAYE‘s emotional new duet to Flau’jae and Lil Wayne‘s new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Lucky Daye feat. RAYE, “Paralyzed”
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Lucky Daye and Raye are two of the most gifted singer-songwriters across contemporary pop and R&B, so their union was always going to be a winner. “Paralyzed,” a standout track from Lucky’s new Algorithm LP, is an exquisite acoustic ballad that allows both artist’s voices to take center stage. Lucky’s luscious layers of background vocals during his opening verse and chrous are an absolutley haunting color to lyrics that grapple with the anxiety that comes with living and leaving this life without your other half. By the time RAYE comes in with her swaggering rap-sung cadence, the sparse production remains mostly unchanged, with her and Lucky’s smoldering, evocative vocal chemistry becoming the song’s life force. “I’m not leaving, paralyzed/ Say love’s easy, a pair of lies/ Know you see me, terrified/ Pair with mine, come pair with mine,” Lucky croons in the final chorus.
Flau’jae & Lil Wayne, “Came Out a Beast”
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The LSU college hoops star checks a dream collaboration off her bucket list when connecting with Lil Wayne for the thunderous “Came Out a Beast.” Flau’jae’s hard-hitting bars go toe-to-toe with Weezy for a competitive sparring session with one of the best to ever pick up a pen. “I’m a millionaire and I don’t got a degree,” she flexes. Wayne takes the baton and floats with ease, proving the rap alien he really is. “Screaming ‘f–k the world’ like a virgin,” Weezy spits in vintage fashion, with a simile that we’ve come accustomed to hearing for over two decades now. Flau’jae should be proud of her performance, but there’s a reason Wayne is a true one-of-one in this game.
Tinashe, “Getting No Sleep”
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Just after scoring her biggest solo hit in a decade with the deliciously salacious “Nasty,” Tinashe has unveiled the next single from her forthcoming Quantum Baby LP. Less in the slinky hip-hop-inflected lane of “Nasty” and more in a drum-and-bass PinkPantheress-esque space, “Getting No Sleep” finds Tinashe continuing her quest to find someone who can “match her freak.” “All week long, keep pressure high/ Got you whipped, all quick replies,” she coos, slyly playing up the tension of time apart that ultimately gives way to passionate sleepless nights. The urgency of the D’n’B beat is the perfect complement to the “we ain’t getting no sleep” hook; lyrically and musically, Tinahse is utterly relentless, and “Getting No Sleep” triumphs because of it.
Wolfacejoeyy, “Finsta (sexy liar)”
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The Staten Island native isn’t slowing down following the release of his Valentino project via Alamo Records in May. Wolfacejoeyy feels like he’s on the precipice of a breakthrough. Joey returns with “Finsta (Sexy Liar)” as part of a two-pack, which finds him meshing the worlds of sexy drill, pop-rap and infectious R&B into a woozy cocktail. There are layers to his simple-yet-complex songwriting, with “Finsta” serving as a prime example of his talents. Someone’s “fake Instagram” is actually a glimpse into their real personality when they’re not performing for society, and only those closest to them have access to it. “I wanna know the real you, can I get your Finsta,” he cheekily asks. Our grandparents would be so proud.
Eric Benét & Tamar Braxton, “Something We Can Make Love To”
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Ahead of his first album since 2016’s self-titled LP, four-time Grammy nominee Eric Benét has returned with the Tamar Braxton-assisted duet “Something We Can Make Love To.” He opens the slow jam crooning, “I don’t know if he knows what to do when you finally decide to get loose/ Those moments they come far and few/ In between/ I don’t mind If I gotta be the guy that comes to the front of your mind,” painting over Laney Stewart’s production with his heated, soulful tone. Tamar effortlessly matches Benét’s breathy delivery with a vocal performance that helps steer the song’s steady pacing, ultimately ending with cathartic vocables and riffs that pay tribute to the best slow jams of R&B days past.
Jahkoy, “Someday”
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Love can be a hell of a drug. Jahkoy’s “Someday” recalls a classic ‘90s R&B vibe that many from that era wish they could bottle up and implement in today’s music landscape. The Toronto-bred singer is writing checks he might not be able to cash down the line, but knows he needs to do what he can to woo a lover. Jahkoy will do whatever it takes to keep her around even if he can’t live up to her expectations at the moment – a relatable topic for many out there. “Someday I’m gonna love you the right way/ Get you high on satisfaction/ Girl I’m really bout that action,” he croons while painting the picture of a fantasy life. Even if he doesn’t, at least it sounds good. F–k it, we ball!
This year will surely go down as one of the best for full-length albums from some of the best emerging and established talents in African music. Already this year we’ve got projects from Tyla, Tems, Ayra Starr, Ruger x BNXN, Young Jonn, Victony and King Promise, with several of those coming just this past month alone. It’s a lot of great music — and presents some good problems for this column, with so many great options of songs to choose from.
Tems burns bright with soulful reflections about discovering her true destiny while navigating newfound fame, ridding relationships that no longer serve her and more on her debut album Born in the Wild. Meanwhile, Victony expands Afropop‘s borders by bringing an international assortment of artists like American rap-rock sensation Teezo Touchdown and Guyanese American rapper SAINt JHN on his first full-length project Stubborn. “It represents overcoming adversity and transforming life’s ‘lemons’ into powerful art,” Victony recently told Billboard. “I hope that when people listen to the album, they feel a sense of shared experience and inspiration to find strength and hope in their own journeys.”
And Tyler ICU and DJ Maphorisa’s scorching new single “Manzi Nte” — which is currently No. 10 onthe South Africa Songs chart (dated June 29) — is inescapable in the artists’ native South Africa. (Billboard‘s senior R&B/Hip-Hop/Afrobeats reporter Heran Mamo can attest to that given her recent travels to Johannesburg.) Meanwhile, Shallipopi turned in a slew of great guest appearances this month, and his features alongside King Promise and Rema both made the list this month, as did the latest loosie from Lil Kesh and a beautiful collaboration between L.A.X and Magicsticks, among others.
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We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with our latest Spotify playlist below.
Ayra Starr feat. Asake, “Goodbye (Warm Up)”
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Ayra Starr bids adieu to a manipulative ex on the glimmering kiss-off “Goodbye (Warm Up),” the Asake-assisted highlight from her resilient sophomore album The Year I Turned 21. P2J’s jazzy street pop production puts extra pep in Starr’s step, as lyrics like “I do not accept your apology” and “Gave you the cold shoulder, I really hope you freeze” deftly kick her ex to the curb. Meanwhile, Asake brushes off any woman with bad energy on his swaggering verse.
Azanti & PsychoYP, “I Know”
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Azanti & PsychoYP create the ultimate laid-back vibe on “I Know,” from their joint album YP & Azanti, Vol. 2. Malik Bawa’s funky, guitar-driven production assuages both artists during their fight for peace of mind, with PsychoYP also recognizing his phone’s focus mode as an essential weapon, as Azanti croons, “I’m trying to focus on me this time, I’m trying to save myself.” The track’s repetitive groove and chorus that just rolls off the tongue make “I Know” the perfect soundtrack for your next summer roadtrip when you’re getting away to find your own peace of mind.
Tems, “Wickedest”
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Tems didn’t come to play on “Wickedest” from her bold debut album Born in the Wild. The introductory sample of Ivorian zouglou group Magic System’s 1999 Pan-African smash “1er Gaou” evokes a nostalgic party vibe for her own dancefloor number that’s been bringing out Tems’ wickedest whine all around the world in her ongoing tour. But from the moment she launches into the first verse, Tems asserts her dominance and stays in the lane she’s set forth for herself, brushing past those who want to try her (a reference to her 2019 single “Try Me”) and sticking to the ones who bring her up and get down with her.
Tyler ICU & DJ Maphorisa feat. Masterpiece YVK, Ceeka RSA, M.J, Silas Africa & Al Xapo, “Manzi Nte”
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After scoring a nomination for best new international act at the 2024 BET Awards and helming one of Rihanna’s favorite songs of 2023, “Mnike” – which recently got a remix featuring Shallipopi and Lojay – Tyler ICU has been on fire. And what better way to keep the heat up this summer than to drop another fire song with “Manzi Nte,” alongside DJ Maphorisa featuring Masterpiece YVK, Ceeka RSA, M.J, Silas Africa and Al Xapo. The music video makes “Manzi Nte” out to be a wet-and-wild anthem – which is fitting given the song’s title translates to water it in Zulu, according to a press release. And the amapiano smash’s rattling production has been powering up participants of the accompanying dance challenge, which Maphorisa demonstrated on TikTok.
Leather Park, Odunsi (The Engine) & Cruel Santino, “CHANEL”
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Odunsi (The Engine) and Cruel Santino’s numerous collaborations have already proven that they’re the funkiest duo, and “CHANEL” from the former’s Leather Park (Vol. 1) album is a sparkling addition to their collection. In the same vein of Bryson Tiller’s “Whatever She Wants,” fulfilling a woman’s designer dreams is the key to unlocking her heart – and Odunsi and Santi flex how well-equipped they are to buy her Chanel, Bottega and anything else she desires. Odunsi also sharpens his alté production skills on “CHANEL” with kaleidoscopic synth patterns, crisp shakers and rollicking percussion that create the track’s irresistible bounce.
King Promise feat. Shallipopi, “Continental”
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In a month brimming with great albums from high-profile talents — Ayra Starr, Tems and Victony among them — King Promise may have delivered the best of all of them. The album’s two big prior singles, “Terminator” and “Paris,” previously appeared in this column, but “Continental,” with its assist from one of the of-the-moment street talents in Shallipopi, sits alongside them as one of the best songs of the past 18 months, combining Promise’s natural melodic feel with his memorable hooks to land a breezy summer hit.
Rema & Shallipopi, “BENIN BOYS”
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Rema is coming off one of the biggest years of any African artist ever, with the mind-blowing success of “Calm Down” — and while this link up with the inescapable Shallipopi is unlikely to replicate that crossover smash’s No. 3 peak on the Billboard Hot 100, it’s another song that showcases the many sides of Rema’s artistry, which goes much deeper than the ear worm that was “Calm Down.” “BENIN BOYS” is much harder, with a driving log drum production that propels both artists forward, and is a formidable entry into each of their catalogs.
Lil Kesh, “Lifestyle”
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Lil Kesh has one of the more distinctive styles among his contemporaries in the Nigerian pop scene, and “Lifestyle” fits perfectly into his oeuvre. With a soulful, soaring hook and an almost contemplative melody over an amapiano-esque production, Kesh lays out a carefree look at life in a track that’s perfect for the summertime. Kesh can pump out these types of tracks seemingly effortlessly, and the vibe is always right on point.
L.A.X & Magicsticks, “Loke”
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Linking with one of the most in-demand producers on the continent, L.A.X delivers a contemplative vocal performance, riding high on carefully crafted melodies while Magicsticks deploys his trademark log drums and a reassuring organ chords. The effect is comforting, in a way, with L.A.X switching back and forth between English and Yoruba to spin his lyrics.
Victony, “Anita”
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Victony’s album showcased his distinctive vocal talents; no one sounds like him, and his instantly-recognizable style is one of his best qualities as an artist. Another is his beat selection — and “Anita,” crafted by P2J, provides the perfect platform for an earworm of a track, which is just as catchy as his breakout hit “Soweto,” if not even moreso. It’s a standout on Stubborn, and one of the best songs of his career.
The summer of “Not Like Us” is in full swing. It’s been less than a week since Kendrick Lamar broke the internet with his Pop Out concert — featuring Mustard, YG, 310babbii, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook and more — where he turned his victory lap into an historic moment of West Coast unification. After opening the show with his blistering “Euphoria” diss, the superstar tore through a set list of hits like “DNA,” “King’s Dead” and “Alright.” To close out the show, Kendrick — alongside friends from every corner of the West Coast — performed his Billboard Hot 100-topping “Not Like Us” a whopping five times in a row.
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With major albums from Megan Thee Stallion, James Blake & Lil Yachty and Lucky Daye due later this week (June 28) and the BET Awards on Sunday (June 30), the hip-hop and R&B worlds have much to look forward to. In the meantime, there’s still the weekly onslaught of new music to sort through — from GloRilla’s highly anticipated “TGIF” to Brandy and Monica’s gorgeous remix of Ariana Grande’s “The Boy Is Mine.”
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from IDK and Gunna’s new team-up to The 80s’ new collaboration with Snoh Aalegra. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
IDK & Gunna, “TIFFANY”
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A viral snippet that goes on to live up to the hype is a rarity nowadays, but IDK and Gunna defied the odds with “TIFFANY,” their first-ever team-up. Gunna is a guest on the DMV native’s single but feels right at home with his close friend Turbo helming the twitchy production. The chemistry is apparent, as they join forces for a silky chorus name-dropping the designer brands filling their wardrobes. With a luxe visual shot in Paris, it’s fitting the track dropped in the midst of Paris Fashion Week. IDK lets it be known he’s been grinding for a decade to get to this point, and refers to himself as reliable children’s cartoon character Bob the Builder. “TIFFANY” follows IDK’s Joey Bada$$-assisted “Denim,” and he’s drummed up some momentum heading into his album later this year.
Adrian Marcel, “Lovin Me”
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Rising R&B singer Adrian Marcel offers up a delectable slice of warm, inviting R&B vibes on his new single, “Lovin Me.” With his soulful falsetto and pristine layering coloring the drum-heavy jazz-inflected soundscape of Bay Area R&B, Marcel crafts a track that grapples with the lingering feelings of apprehension that remain in even the longest of relationships. “Through all your sacrifice, you stood by my side/ But still, I can’t help wondering/ If you’re still in love with me,” he ponders over the Sonny B-produced track, co-written with Ryn Nicole. Playing on the doe-eyed balminess of classic soul and R&B, “Lovin Me” is a sweet addition to the soundtrack for a hazy summer evening.
2Rare, “Congratulationz”
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2Rare has a lot to be thankful about these days. He’s sharing the love and the timing is perfect for his “Congratulationz” single, which serves as a celebratory anthem for every graduating class across the country. The triumphant tune is a refreshing change of pace compared to previous releases for the Philly native, as he toasts to leveling up in life and thanks his parents and God for being there every step of the way. “Give it up for us one time,” he urges listeners, with help from a children’s choir to further drive home the familial aspect. It’s not going to reach the heights of Quavo and Post Malone’s diamond single of the same name, but 2Rare’s positivity is a welcome sound.
THEY., “Diamonds And Pearls”
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“Be my addiction, material girl/ Wrapped ’round my finger like diamonds and pearls/ Hit all your buttons with no strings attached/ Make you wanna run it back,” Drew Love sings at the beginning of “Diamond And Pearls,” a Prince-nodding, City High name-checking ode to the sensuous heat of the chase. After previewing the song last year, the acclaimed R&B duo presents a full song that leans into its hip hop-soul and neo-soul influences, while employing a sing-rap cadence in the verses that feels decidedly contemporary. Embracing all aspects of the chase — sex, liquor, material wealth — “Diamonds And Pearls” is the kind of infectious R&B jam that makes even the slimiest concepts feel alluring.
Bay Swag, “Worldwide Sniper”
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It’s a Slizzy Summer in NYC, and Bay Swag, alongside his “Fisherrr” collaborator Cash Cobain, are the driving forces behind the sexy drill movement sweeping the Big Apple rap scene. The Queens native gives his rendition of DMX’s “What These B—–s Want” anthem, as Bay runs through various women in his lineup, like an H-Town fling who used to date NBA star James Harden or a nurse from Brooklyn that he passed to Fivio Foreign. With Cash helming the ominous production, the 24-year-old is crossing state lines to live up to his “Worldwide Sniper” reputation. If you let Bay Swag tell it, he says the track is “a shout-out to all the baddies worldwide who bring that energy wherever they go.”
The 80s & Snoh Aalegra, “Blue”
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Last Friday (June 21), The 80s — comprised of James Fauntleroy & No I.D. and formerly known as Cocaine 80s — released the 2024 remaster of their Pursuit EP, the first in a series of defining Blog Era projects. With three-time Grammy nominee Snoh Aalegra offering her first musical release of 2024 via a new verse on “Blue,” the moody album closer emerges as one of the set’s most rewarding listens. Her ethereal tone blends beautifully with Fauntleroy’s tender falsetto — grounded by endless layers of backing harmonies — making for the perfect vocal complement to the dramatic piano line that anchors No I.D.’s sparse production. “And all I ever wanted was your love/ Damn, I would pull the sun down/ Just because you’re all I wanted,” they coo.
With just two days to go before Kendrick Lamar‘s highly anticipated The Pop Out: Ken & Friends concert (June 19), all eyes are on the West Coast for what’s expected to be a victory lap for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, following his heated beef with Drake this spring.
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As usual, the South also has something to say, with Megan Thee Stallion‘s Hot Girl Summer Tour still going strong. In the past week, the “Hiss” rapper has brought out scores of fellow Southern rap stars — including Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Bun B, Slim Thug, Lil Keke and Monaleo. Never a region to be left out, New York took a sweet trip down memory lane at Sunday night’s Tony Awards (June 16), with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z performing “Empire State of Mind” in celebration of both Keys’ new Tony-winning Hell’s Kitchen musical and the song crossing the one billion streams threshold.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Normani’s ’00s Southern fantasia to Chow Lee’s latest addition to the “sexy drill” lexicon. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Marsha Ambrosius, “Greedy”
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Nine-time Grammy nominee Marsha Ambrosius offers the latest taste of her forthcoming Casablanco album with “Greedy.” A gorgeous amalgamation of neo-soul and hip-hop, “Greedy” combines samples of Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade” and OutKast’s “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” with lush orchestration (the cellos are particularly gorgeous here) for a rumination on a partner who takes more than then give. “How much do I owe you? It’s like I don’t know you/ Go ‘head, I don’t own you, now you on your own now/ I’m remembering that you’re so hard to trust/ Just tell me, baby/ When is enough, enough?/ ‘Cause it’s never enough,” she croons in the second verse. Produced by Dr. Dre, “Greedy” previews what is sure to be a record full of smart arrangements and evocative vocal performances.
Donte Thomas, “Sayonara”
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Drake has compared the last verse on his albums to performing surgery. Fortunately for Donte Thomas, the Portland-bred rapper keeps the doctor away thanks to An Apple a Day. Thomas puts a bow on his introspective album, which arrived on Friday via Skyzoo’s First Generation Rich imprint, with the starry project closer “Sayonara,” featuring Shelby Swims. Thomas candidly comes to terms with his journey and knows it’s going to be a laborious brick-by-brick grind to get to the top, but at least the ship’s back in motion. “This is my life ain’t no part of no image/ Out of control it’s only beginning/ Out on the road you know that we winning,” he raps.
Chow Lee feat. Cash Cobain & Bay Swag, “Act Bad Twin!”
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As the Slizzy Summer of 2024 begins to hit its stride, New York rapper Chow Lee recruits fellow “sexy drill” flagbearers Cash Cobain and Bay Swag for his new single, “Act Bad Twin!” “She think she know me/ Well she kind of do ’cause I f–ked her/ She still the homie, we keep it P/ When I see her that’s the sis, I’m the brodie,” he spits, seamlessly adding new punchlines and one-liners to the sleazy casual sex that grounds the “sexy drill” subgenre. Cash and Bay Swag deliver characteristically strong verses that play up the different pockets on the spacious hi-hat-accented mix. If the year’s earlier “sexy drill” hits presented a stark male perspective, then Chow Lee’s new joint gives the ladies some time in the driver’s seat of these semi-grimy pursuits.
Forest Claudette, “Moonlight”
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Moonlight won best picture at the 2017 Academy Awards – with a botched presentation nobody will ever forget – and inspired millions of viewers across the globe. One of those acolytes was Forest Claudette, who picked up their guitar after the life-changing experience and grappled with their gender identity, which turned into a poignant alt-R&B track inspired by Barry Jenkins’ film. “I been thinking ‘bout moonlight, I been thinking ‘bout the boys in my life again/ It’s not like me to be keeping quiet, no silence,” the Warner Records artist croons with angelic vocals floating over soothing strings. Next up, the Australian-American singer heads home to the Land Down Under where they’ll open up for Omar Apollo on the Australian leg of his tour.
Normani, “Still”
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Last week (June 14), Normani finally dropped her long-awaited debut solo studio album, Dopamine. Alongside collaborations with James Blake, Starrah and Gunna lies “Still,” perhaps the album’s best stab at combining the ’00s Southern hip-hop of ‘Mani’s childhood with the Brandy and Michael Jackson-influenced vocal layering that’s become a cornerstone of her sound. “Still goin’ up in the section/ Standin’ on the couch, gettin’ reckless/ I be saucin’ nigga like dressin’/ In Christian Dior, I’m a blessin’” she croons across the Tommy Brown- and Leather Jackettt-produced banger. Featuring an interpolation of Mike Jones’ classic “Still Tippin,” Normani’s new track achieves the increasingly rare feat of mining the past and truly innovating on what is found.
Rexx Life Raj, “Blame the Bad B—h”
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Rexx Life Raj puts his own twist on Layton Greene’s “Leave Em Alone” with his gentle croon on the woozy chorus. The California native wrestles with settling down with a “good girl” or running through a plethora of “bad b—hes.” He keeps it real when admitting people are only as faithful as their options, and Raj boasts that he’s got plenty of applications at his desk these days. “I tried that good girl s–t, but the bad b—h turning me on,” the former college football player sings. “Got a solid one, but this sea of h–s making me question it.” The contemplative single is the final tune-up for Rexx Life Raj before the 34-year-old gets into album rollout mode later this year.